Minnesota News Briefs: Drivers have 'nozzle shock' with gas prices

Talk about it

Minnesotans got their share of "nozzle shock" on Monday, seeing the price of gas rise dramatically to a statewide average of $3.75.

Minnesota-Gas-Prices.com says that's nearly a dime higher than last week. Nationally, gas prices are even higher thanks to states like Illinois, which are seeing gas average over $4.20-cents right now.

________________________________________________________

Authorities in northwestern Minnesota have identified the body found near some railroad tracks near Buffalo River State Park. The Clay County Sheriff's Office says a medical examiner will determine how 27-year old Jared Nilles of Fargo died. His body was found after being spotted by a member of the train crew.

_________________________________________________________

At the Capitol, a voter ID bill passed committee and heads to the House for a full vote tonight. A similar measure is working its way through the state Senate. If the voter ID bill passes, voters would see it at the polls this fall. Meanwhile today, several hundred people are expected to show up for the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition's Day at the Capitol. The group is pushing for programs to help needy Minnesotans, noting that more than half-a-million people -- or 11-percent of the state's population -- live in poverty.

__________________________________________________________________

Following the news of the arrest of a fugitive Catholic priest charged for sexually assaulting two underage girls comes reaction from one of his alleged victims. Megan Peterson says her initial reaction to the news of 57-year old Joseph Jeyapaul's arrest in India was a mix of shock and excitement. Peterson, who was 14 when the alleged abuse occurred in 2004, received a $750,000 settlement from the Crookston Diocese last year. Jeyapaul is being held in custody pending a formal U.S. request for extradition.

__________________________________________________________________

As daunting as the challenge may seem, a panel has started work to help free school children from bullying, harassment and intimidation. Governor Mark Dayton's Task Force on the Prevention of School Bullying met for the first time Monday, with members representing education, mental health, politics, diversity advocacy and law. Last year, a national watchdog group gave Minnesota's bullying law a C-minus, the lowest passing grade in the country. The panel will issue its findings in August.

___________________________________________________________________

A new poll shows 66-percent of workers did not realize that their paychecks were larger, despite a two-percent payroll tax cut having been in place for over a year. Geoff (Jeff) Bullock, a financial educator with Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota, urges people to take a moment to examine their paycheck closely to "figure out what is coming in and where it's going." Congress recently extended the payroll tax cut.

____________________________________________________________________

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is looking for volunteers to track the health of lakes and streams throughout the state. Participants measure water clarity in their local lakes and streams throughout the summer with equipment supplied by the MPCA. The MPCA then uses that data to gauge the health of the water and make decisions on watershed protection and restoration. To volunteer, or learn more about the program, you can visit the MPCA's web site.

_____________________________________________________________________

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will resume taking reservations on Thursday for camping and lodging at Minnesota State Parks and recreation areas. Officials are expected to release more information at a news conference this afternoon.(1 p.m.) A newly-updgraded reservation service launched March 1st but crashed shortly after it went live because of higher than anticipated traffic.

_____________________________________________________________________

An estimated 25-hundred Minnesotans are diagnosed with colon cancer every year. It's the third most common form of cancer - and the Minnesota Health Department is focusing on colon cancer prevention this month. The Department's Pam York cautions against taking vitamin supplements A, E and selenium because high amounts can be dangerous. York says the best way to lower your risk of colon cancer is to eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. She says those contain all the vitamins you need.

_____________________________________________________________________

Here are the winning numbers from the Minnesota State Lottery for Monday, March 20th, 2012. The Daily Three: 4-5-7. Northstar Cash: 7-15-16-22-23. Gopher Five: 6-22-29-30-36.

Tags: news, minnesota